A wedding can be a memorable experience for all those involved in the big day. That is why a bride and groom ask friends or relatives to share in the event and participate in the wedding party. The offer is an honor, one that goes with a varying degree of responsibility depending on the role that is offered. It seems that each member of the wedding party should know what is expected of them, when they are asked to participate in the wedding.
Maid of Honor
The maid of honor is usually filled by a sister or best friend. The maid of honor role is one of honor but great responsibility. A bride must be able to depend and trust her maid of honor completely. A maid of honor accompanies the bride on all shopping trips for her wedding dress. She also is responsible for planning the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and coordinating the bridal party gifts for the bride. The maid of honor must also help the bride to get dressed on her special day, hold the groom’s ring during the ceremony, and may aid in writing the invitations. The maid of honor usually is one of the witnesses in the wedding and will usually dance with the best man at the reception. If the person you are asking to fill this position is already married, she will be titled the matron of honor.
Best Man
The best man is equal to the maid of honor in his responsibilities. He must be trustworthy and is generally a brother or close friend to the groom. His most common duty is to organize the bachelor party, but he should also know he will be giving the toast at the reception. A best man will also shop with the groom when he picks out his tuxedo and will help the groom get dressed on the big day. A best man will coordinate the couple’s gift from the groomsmen and takes care of the transportation to the airport, if they are leaving directly from the reception. The best man may also be responsible for holding any payment that is due on the reception site and he may be asked to handle other financial details. He will also be responsible for the bride’s ring during the ceremony.
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids will walk in the wedding procession and will be asked to attend the bridal shower. Bridesmaids usually contribute to the bridal gifts. Bridesmaids are usually sisters or close friends of the bride or groom. A bridesmaid will be asked to dance with the groomsmen during the reception. Each bridesmaid could be asked to fulfill specific duties in assisting with the wedding or helping with invitations.
Groomsmen
Groomsmen are the male equivalent of the bridesmaids and usually have identical responsibilities of the bridesmaids. A groomsman is usually a brother of the bride or groom but could be just a close friend. A groomsman could be asked to act as an usher the day of the wedding, as well as walk in the wedding procession. A groomsman will also dance during the reception and will typically be expected to help organize the bachelor party also.
A Flower Girl is usually a sister of the bride or groom who is younger, but could be just a younger relative or friends’ child. Since the flower girl is usually a young girl, her responsibilities are usually very limited. She will usually carry flowers during the wedding procession and will sometimes toss the flowers onto the brides’ path down the aisle.
A Ring Bearer, as a flower girl, is usually a younger member of the family and will usually have limited responsibilities as well. A ring bearer will usually walk in the wedding procession carrying a pillow with a ring sewn to it. Some couples might ask the flower girl and ring bearer to walk down the aisle together.
Parents of the Bride
The bride’s parents may be responsible for all finances in hosting the wedding. The father of the bride will accompany his daughter down the aisle during the ceremony. The mother of the bride will help fund or help plan the bridal shower. The parents may also be financially responsible for the engagement party or dinner to meet the groom’s family.
Parents of the Groom
The groom’s parents are responsible for hosting a rehearsal dinner prior to the wedding day. They can also offer to contribute to the wedding costs if they would like to or are asked to by the couple. The groom’s parents are usually limited in what their responsibilities, but I believe that they can be and should be as involved as they would like to be as long as there are not any objections by the parents of the bride or the couple. A groom’s mother should always ask the mother of the bride what color she will be wearing at the wedding ceremony so as to not wear the same color. The groom’s parents will usually walk down the aisle during the wedding ceremony in advance of the procession and take their seats.
As with all other traditions, a future bride or groom may choose to change, add to, or eliminate some of these responsibilities. A wedding day should be as unique as the bride or groom wants it to be. If they happen to have a wedding planner, then many of these duties may be handled by that planner. Whatever your responsibilities are, remember that it is an honor to be asked to be a part of the special day and that you should hold the responsibilities as a high honor and always do your best to fulfill those responsibilities.
